Life Lessons

Well, our trip is going so fast. We seem to be in a good routine. Everyone is on the East Coast time schedule and the Lord has blessed us with wonderful, perfect weather. We spent another day today at Busch Gardens. This is such a great off season time to be here. The kids saw the wolf show, we heard Italian singers, and the highlight was eating in Germany. Chloe got to dance with a German girl and all the kids reluctantly, but with smiles did the chicken dance with European dressed boys and girls. We have learned so much. Our minds have been filled with historic facts and hands on learning that no book could ever replace. But today I was thinking about a different kind of learning that has and is taking place.

The learning of being together. Let's face it. We are no easy group. When you put together a new place, 7 kids under age 12, a very pregnant woman, a small space, and more, together you have a great opportunity to be molded :). Isn't that a nice way to put it? I mean everything we do does take work. You don't just jump into the van to go somewhere without a filled sippy cup, diapers, wipes, hand sanitzer, snacks, etc. Even finding 9 pairs of shoes can be a challenge.

On top of that you throw in self. Each child (and okay us adults too) think of self first. And that becomes very apparent when you are already tired. We get squeezed and the real us comes out. Who gets to sit where in the van, who got the last cookie, and who gets to use the bathroom when you walk into the condo after a long ride home. All these little things happen on a daily basis and are escalated when you are having fun but running hard and in a new place.

But the beauty of it is that it also a great time to learn. Today I watched Caleb help Chloe and Gabriel get off of a ride. He gently lifted Gabe out of his little boat ride and ran right over to him all on his own. I saw Sophie be patient with the little boys who are loving having her here but could drive any cousin crazy. We told Ben to NOT get out of bed until we say it is okay. He was taunting the girls at 6 am the other morning. We can't afford to buy everyone a cotton candy so we share one big one and they seem to know how to do that and not expect anything differently. The older kids have experienced some new freedoms on our trip (like riding a few rides outside of our eye sight) and yet they have blessed us by telling us each experience almost as if they wanted us there to be part of it all. They have looked out for each other and taken care of one another. They are learning that others have to come first. Constantly. Chloe can't make it an hour without needing to go potty. All of us had a turn at taking her today. And its true, in our house, someone is likely to take your pillow, spill their drink on you, get into your saved candy, turn on the light while you are sleeping, sit in your seat where you just were sitting, change your channel, and more EVERY day.

But that is where you can have patience, grace, and growth. Things we all need every day. Believe me, Eric and I are first in line for the Lord showing us our need in this. And somehow in all of the chaos and craziness there is a joy and gratefullness I have for each of these special people God has allowed us the priviledge to parent. And how crazy is it that the kids are teaching Eric and I the very thing we are trying to teach them. We all are changing and growing.

I am constantly amazed at their differences. Who likes mustard and who doesn't. Who is hesitant to try new things and who has no fear. The have different needs, and different areas they need to grow in and being together 24-7 has allowed this to take place in a new way. We all need eachother and we all help each other. We have bonded and are bonding in a new way. I love us being together.


We missed our turn on the way home tonight. The roads here are crazy. And Eric and I both began to laugh where last week we would have been stressed. The kids are being more patient with one another and we are all daily being blessed with chances to show love and grace to others all in the midst of making wonderful lifetime memories. We are learning to work together. To be a team. To give forgiveness and also seek to think about someone else first. Together. These lessons of the heart are much more important than any history lesson. It doesn't get any better than that.

The Lord is so good :0)